Drive Like a Ninja, Be Aware, Be Patient, Be Invisible

Three Forks Students participated in "Drive Like a Ninja" week.

The traffic safety sponsored by Three Forks FCCLA was held last week to teach students at Three Forks Schools about the hazards of distracted driving.

The program was funded through a Vision Zero Grant from the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). Montana FCCLA and MDT work together to provide funding for traffic safety projects across the state each year. The Three Forks Chapter received funds to support their efforts to reduce the number of teen traffic crashes in Montana through Montana FCCLA. This year the students chose the theme "Drive Like a Ninja" Be Aware, Be Patient, Be Invisible and observant.

According to the American Automobile Association Distracted driving - including texting while driving - is the cause of more than 58% of crashes involving teen drivers. A driver is eight times more likely to be involved in a crash when reaching for an object and three times more likely to crash while eating or drinking. The latest data available from the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows over 3,000 people were killed by distracted driving in 2020. Whether or not you are the driver engaged in the activity, distracted driving affects everyone on the road. These numbers illustrate the need for continuing to educate teens about the dangers of distracted driving.

For our project students focused on distracted and drowsy driving to make students aware of the dangers associated with distracted driving. Students filmed a safe driving PSA and posted it to Facebook, it is also available on YouTube. Planned and organized a variety of games during the lunch break. The games used our drowsy and distracted driving goggles to simulate how your reaction times and perceptions are affected while driving. Students collected points for prizes each day with a grand prize drawing at the end of the week.